抜き打ち獅子兵衛 / Shishibei the Quick-Draw Swordsman

Shishibei, a mysterious young swordsman, appears in Ryogoku with a bold sign:

"Undefeated under Heaven."

For one gold piece, anyone may challenge him. After more than fifty matches, no one has defeated him.

But "Shishibei" is actually Sanai Tatenouchi, a former retainer of the abolished Tsuge house.

His public matches have a secret purpose. Sanai wants to attract Toranosuke Matsudaira, a proud young lord renowned for his martial spirit. Sanai believes Toranosuke may be the one man capable of giving Princess Michiko, daughter of his fallen master, a future beyond the shadows of a ruined family.

Condemned by his own household for disgracing the samurai name through public gambling, Sanai accepts exile without revealing his plan.

When Toranosuke finally recognizes both his extraordinary swordsmanship and his true intention, Sanai asks for only one reward: marry the princess and protect her.

"Shishibei the Quick-Draw Swordsman" is a spirited historical tale of swordsmanship, loyalty, hidden sacrifice, and a retainer willing to destroy his own reputation for his lord's daughter.

Written by Shugoro Yamamoto.

Narrated by Shichimi Shungorō.

Produced and published by Marutake Shobo.

寛永十九年、両国広小路。

「天下無敵 ぬきうち獅子兵衛」

一枚の金で誰の挑戦でも受け、勝てば十枚を与えるという若き剣客が現れる。五十人を超える挑戦者を退け、その名は江戸中の評判となった。

しかし獅子兵衛の正体は、改易された柘植家の旧臣・館ノ内左内。

派手な賭勝負には、誰にも明かせない目的があった。

旧主の娘・倫子姫を日陰の境遇から救うため、武勇と気性で名高い松平虎之助を両国へ誘い出し、その人物を見定めようとしていたのである。

賭勝負を恥じた旧主の後室から勘当されても、左内は計画を明かさない。

そして虎之助に認められた彼が願ったのは、自らの出世ではなく――倫子姫を妻として迎えてほしい、ということだった。

剣豪の痛快さと、名誉を捨てて主家の姫を救おうとする忠義を描く、山本周五郎の武家活劇。

著者：山本周五郎

朗読：七味春五郎

制作・発行：丸竹書房